Brevard Public Schools' banned math books revised; scrutiny over social studies texts likely ahead
Averting a potential headache for Brevard Public Schools, textbook publishers have revised the district's selected math books to meet state standards. But with social studies textbook adoptions scheduled to start next year, Florida's textbook woes are far from over.
The state announced in April that it had declined to adopt a record number of math textbooks, saying in a press release that 54 out of 132 failed to meet state standards or included critical race theory or social emotional learning, an educational method that aims to help students build social skills and better handle their own emotions. The state's decision impacted districts across Florida, including Brevard.
Several of the textbooks BPS had already adopted — but not purchased — for next year were included in the rejects.
The district's lengthy textbook adoption process includes meetings in which the community is invited to examine the instructional materials and provide feedback. Brevard's selected math textbooks had undergone this process last fall.
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Although Florida school districts have some authority to select textbooks, they are limited to a list of state-adopted materials. The district had selected the books based on a preliminary list provided by the state, and had held off on purchasing them until they were officially adopted. District officials said that was their usual process.
BPS spokesman Russell Bruhn said the district has not yet purchased the math textbooks, but it appears all now are in the clear for use next year.
This coming fall, BPS will begin to select social studies textbooks for use from 2023-2028.
The Florida Department of Education is accepting bids from textbook manufacturers for social studies materials until June 10. That process is likely to be no less controversial than the math textbook adoption; the department has already warned publishers that critical race theory will be off-limits in textbooks.
“Critical race theory, social justice, culturally responsive teaching, social and emotional learning, and any other unsolicited theories that may lead to student indoctrination are prohibited,” the department warned in a set of guidelines posted to its website.
Bailey Gallion is the education reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallion at 321-242-3786 or bgallion@floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Math books chosen for Brevard schools revised; state cited CRT for ban
